Florida Domicile & Residency

Florida 2

Interested in establishing your domicile in Florida? Take a look at the steps below to understand what tasks and forms should be completed.
The information contained on these pages is not to be considered legal advice. You should always check with your attorney to confirm specific state laws and how they might apply to your personal situation.

Download this Domicile Guide along with a checklist of documents to bring with you.

Becoming a Resident

Note: As an Escapees mail service member, you may elect to use “Escapees: Home” as an additional mail service benefit. This service is specifically geared for full-time RVers who have sold their brick and mortar homes. Escapees: Home allows you to use Sumter Oaks RV Park as your physical address for state-specific documents (such as driver license, voter registration, and vehicle registrations.)

  • If using Sumter Oaks RV Park, your county would be “Sumter County.”
  • Contact professionals, e.g. lawyers, doctors, dentists, accountants, financial planners, and insurance agents, and social and/or religious organizations to begin your relationship with them.
  • Make appointments well in advance of your arrival as sometimes these professionals book up quickly.
  • Contact an attorney to update estate planning documents in accordance with the laws of Florida, or create estate planning documents. The attorney may begin preparing those documents in advance of your arrival.
  • Obtain quotes for vehicle and health insurance plans.  Please note that quotes from insurance agents typically expire within a few weeks of receiving them, so time this according to your arrival date. 

Driver’s License Requirements: 

  • Appear in-person for a photo at a Driver License/Motor Vehicle Service Center
  • Surrender previous driver’s license
  • Valid passport or US Birth Certificate issued by the authorized government jurisdiction. (Hospital birth certificates are unacceptable.) If using a birth certificate and you’ve legally changed your name, proof of name change is required. Marriage certificate must be original State issued or a certified copy.
  • Social security card or Medicare card (with complete social security number).
  • Proof of residential address: Copy of Escapees: Home “welcome letter” and the Escapees RV Club “Letter of Acknowledgement.”
  • Complete details for Sumter County Driver License Requirements available at: http://www.sumtertaxcollector.com/driv.html

Voter Registration Requirements:

  • Obtained along with the acquisition of a driver’s license

Vehicle Registration Requirements:

  • Registered owners must be present with their State-issued driver license or ID card.
  • Obtain title, or if it is still held by a lienholder, have the title sent to the Florida Tax Collector’s Office. (The Florida Tax Collector’s office can assist.)
  • A previously out-of-state registered vehicle must have the VIN verified by physically driving to the Tax Collector’s office or a COMPLETED Form HSMV 82042 or a completed Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration form.
  • Produce a bill of sale if the vehicle was purchased within the last six (6) months.
  • Proof of Insurance (Affidavit: http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/forms/BTR/83330.pdf)
  • File forms with various state agencies.
  • Pay applicable taxes.
  • Meet with aforementioned professionals.
  • To the extent that is practical, bring your personal possessions, which are not housed in your RV, to your new county of domicile and store them there.

Voting Information

  • Your Florida driver’s license number or Florida ID Card. If you do not have either of those, you must provide the last 4 digits of your SSN.
  • Provide your legal address.
  • Provide your mailing address if different than your legal address.
  • List the address of the location you last registered to vote.

Once you have registered to vote, you may apply for a ballot or request an absentee ballot if you’re traveling. You may apply for an absentee ballot request online.  

You may also download a PDF version of the absentee ballot request and mail it to the Supervisor of Elections at: 900 N. Main St., Bushnell, FL, 33513. Ballots are mailed out 28-35 days prior to an election.

It is very important that you fill out your application for ballot carefully and completely. Remember, your signature is critical as absentees and petitions are verified by the voter’s signature in their database.

The voter must personally vote and sign the return envelope. Absentee ballots must be returned by mail or hand-delivered so that they reach the Bushnell elections office by 7:00 PM on the day of the election.

These web links can be used to research voter guidelines, current elected officials and candidates.


Sumter County Voter Information

Driver's License Information

In order to obtain a Florida driver’s license the first time, you will need to appear in person for your photo. Be sure and have your residential address and vehicle insurance in place. You will be surrendering your previous driver’s license at this time.

Residents renewing or obtaining a new driver’s license must bring original documents that prove your identity, social security number and residential address.

  • Identity: Either an original or certified copy of your U.S. Birth Certificate or a valid U.S. Passport is needed for your proof of identity.
  • Legal Name Change: If using a birth certificate and you’ve legally changed your name, proof of your name change is required. A Marriage Certificate must be an original State issued or a certified copy.
  • Proof of Social Security Number: Social security card, Medicare card (with complete social security number), W-2, or pay stub showing individual’s name and social security number.
  • Two forms of proof of residential address: It is our understanding that Sumter County is accepting a copy of your Escapees: Home agreement/welcome letter*, along with the Escapees RV Club “Letter of Acknowledgement*.” Voter’s Registration card, Florida vehicle registration or title, or mail from a financial institution (not more than two months old) is also acceptable.

Florida driver’s licenses are typically valid for eight years. Individuals over 80 will have to renew every six years.

Non-commercial Class E licenses are acceptable for anyone driving a vehicle less than 26,001 pounds and/or driving an RV for recreational purposes only.

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: http://www.flhsmv.gov/

Sumter County: http://www.sumtertaxcollector.com/driv.html

Florida DMV Booklets: https://www.flhsmv.gov/resources/handbooks-manuals/

Helpful Resources

Driver’s License, Motor Vehicle Registrations and Voter Registration

County Tax Collector’s Office
220 East McCollum Ave.
Bushnell, FL 33513 
352-569-6740

Sumter County Tax Collector
http://www.sumtertaxcollector.com/

Property Appraisal Information

Sumter County Property Appraiser
218 E. McCollum Ave.
Bushnell, FL 33513
352-569-6800

Additional Resources

SumterCounty
http://sumtercountyfl.gov/

SumterCountyTourism
http://discoversumterfl.com/

Chamber of Commerce
http://sumterchamber.org/

Florida State
http://www.myflorida.com/